Mining and loading machine with pivotally connected front and rear base sections



June 26, 1956 J. F. JOY 2,752,143

MINING AND LOADING MACHINE WITH PIVOTALLY CONNECTED FRONT AND REAR BASE SECTIONS Filed Nov. 20. 1951 9 Sheets-Sheet l lzzvezziar: JosepZz @hy.

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June 26, 1956 J. F. JOY 2,752,143

MINING AND LOADING MACHINE WITH PIVOTALLY CONNECTED FRONT AND REAR BASE SECTIONS Filed Nov. 20, 1951 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 MINING AND LOADING MACHINE WITH PIV- OTALLY CONNECTED FRONT AND REAR BASE SECTIONS Joseph F. Joy, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor to Joy Mnnuacturing Company, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application November 20, 1951, Serial No. 257,329

27 Claims. (Cl. 262-29) This invention relates to mining and loading machines and more particularly to a machine of the type known as a continuous miner for dislodging and disintegrating the mineral of a solid mine vein and for elevating and conveying the disintegrated mineral rearwardly from the working face to a convenient point of delivery at the rear end of the machine.

In mining and loading machines of the type disclosed and particularly those known as continuous miners it has become common practice to effect tearing of the mineral away from the working face of a solid mine vein by means of a disintegrating mechanism having orbitally movable disintegrating elements which operate in vertical planes to dislodge vertical segments of mineral from the solid. In known instances the disintegrating mechanism has been sumped into the mineral at the roof level, then swung downwardly in vertical planes, and retracted at the floor level to dislodge a vertical segment of mineral from the vein and conveying means has been provided for receiving the disintegrated mineral and for conveying the same rearwardly of the machine to a convenient point of delivery. In such machines the overall vertical dimensions are necessarily relatively high, preventing operation thereof in mines having relatively low head room, and the desired flexibility and range of lateral adjustment is, in 1 certain instances, also lacking. To obtain low height there have been provided in machines of known types walking or creeping base structures and these, in the main, fail to provide the desired range and flexibility in the steering and directing of the machine.

The present invention contemplates improvements over such known types of mining and loading machines in that the disadvantages above outlined are substantially overcome. The machine of the present invention is mounted on a low height walking base which has the desired lateral flexibility and range whereby sharp turning of the machine is made possible. The machine is not only comparatively low in height and relatively laterally flexible but is also capable of effecting dislodging of mineral from veins of substantial heights. The machine of the present invention is relatively rugged and compact, well adapted for its intended purpose.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved mining and loading machine. Another object is to provide an improved mining and loading apparatus of the type known as a continuous miner having improved disintegrating mechanism for dislodging mineral from a solid mine vein. A further object is to provide an improved walking base or creeper structure for a mining machine whereby increased range and flexibility in machine movement as Well as low height are attained. Another object is to provide a walking base structure wherein steering of the machine is facilitated by the provision of pivotally connected base sections. is to provide an improved mining and loading apparatus having novel arrangements and combinations of parts.

Yet another object nited States Patent 2,752,143 Patented June 26, 1956 These and other objects and advantages of the invention will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings there is shown for purposes of illustration one form which the invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings:

Figs. 1 and 1a, taken together, constitute a plan view of the improved mining and loading machine.

Figs. 2 and 2a, taken together, constitute a side elevational view of the machine shown in Figs. 1 and 1a.

Figs. 3 and 3a, taken together, constitute an enlarged central longitudinal vertical section taken on lines 3-3 and 3a3a of Figs. 1 and 1a.

Fig. 4 is a cross section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3, showing the swivel mounting for the disintegrating head.

Fig. 5 is a cross section taken on line 5-5 of Figs. 1 and 3, illustrating the swivel between the front and rear base sections.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged horizontal section taken on line 6--6 of Fig. 3a.

Fig. 7 is a horizontal section taken on the planes of line 7-7 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the hydraulic fluid system.

Figs. 9 and 10 are schematic plan views showing the machine in operating position in a mine, with the disintegrating head shown adjusted in different lateral operating positions as indicated in full and dotted lines.

Fig. 11 is a schematic side view showing the machine in operating position in a mine, and illustrating several positions of the disintegrating head.

The mining and loading machine of the present invention constitutes an improvement over those disclosed in the copending applications of Harold F. Silver, Serial No. 11,688, filed February 7, 1948, and John D. Russell, Serial No. 102,995, filed July 5, 1949, both owned by applicants assignee.

The improved mining and loading machine generally comprises a base 1 movable over the floor of a mine and comprising front and rear base sections 2 and 3 pivotally connected together at 4 for independent lateral swinging movements about an upright axis. The front base section carries a disintegrating mechanism 5 for dislodging and disintegrating the mineral of a solid mine vein, and extending longitudinally along the base sections 2 and 3 is a conveying means 6 for receiving the disintegrated mineral and for conveying the same rearwardly of the machine to a convenient point of delivery at the rear end of the machine. The disintegrating mechanism 5 comprises a disintegrating head 7 pivoted at 8 to swing in vertical planes between the mine roof and mine floor, and this disintegrating head is mounted for rectilinear guided movement on the front base section 2 in a direction radial of the upright axis of the pivotal connection 4 between the base sections. The base 1 is of the type known as a walking or creeper base and pairs of anchor jack devices 9 and 10 are provided for respectively holding the relatively movable portions of the base against movement at certain times during movement of the machine. A rear portion 11 of the conveying means 6 is pivoted to tilt in vertical planes to vary the discharge height of the conveying means.

The base 1 comprises a fioor engaging skid or bottom skid plate 15 of the rear base section and a cooperating floor engaging skid or bottom skid plate 16 of the front base section, and these skid plates are adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor and to swing independently in a lateral direction about the vertical axis of the pivotal connection 4, as later explained. Mounted at the forward portion of and secured to the rear skid plate 15 in coaxial relation with the pivot 4 is an upright bearing support 17 having an integral circular plate 18 overlying the skid plate, and the rearward portion of the front skid plate 16 is swivelly mounted between the superimposed plates and 18 in pivotal engagement at 19 with the circular base of the bearing support 17, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5. Thus, the front skid plate may swing horizontally about the pivot 4 relative to the rear skid plate and vice verse, to vary the angular relation of the front and rear base sections 2 and 3. The front base section has a centrally located, radial guideway 20 in which a transverse floor engaging frame or support. 21 (see Figs; 3 and 4) is guided for movementlongitudinally relative to the front skid plate 16. Secured to the transverse frame 21 is a frame 22 and swivelly mounted at 23 (Fig. l) on the frame 22 is an upstanding frame 24 having forward-lateral projections 25 on which the disintegrating head 7 is pivotally mounted toswing in vertical planes. Carried by the frame 272 at the opposite sides of the swivel 23 are parallel, longitudinally extending, double acting, hydraulic feeding and retracting cylinders 26 containing pistons 27 having their forwardly extending piston rods 28 rigidly secured at 29 to lugs integral with a conveyor frame 39 mounted on and secured to-the front skid plate 16 (Figs. 3 and 7).

The frame 22, as shown in Figs. 3and 4, has an upstanding integral bearing support 31 to which an upper retaining cap 31:: is secured, and the swiveled frame 24 has a circular bearing portion 32 swivelly mounted on hearing sleeves 33 carried by the bearing support 31. Pivotally mounted at 34 on a transverse rear portion of the swiveled frame 24 are horizontally swingable, hydraulic, double acting swing cylinders 35 containing pistons 36 having their piston rods 37 pivotally connected at 38gto the opposite ends of a transverse yoke portion 39 integral with the retaining cap 31a. Thus, when liquid under pressure is properly supplied to the hydraulic cylinders 26 the transverse frame 21 may be moved rectilinearly along the radial guideway 26 while the skid plate 16 remains stationary or, while the transverse frame 21 is held stationary, the front skid plate 16 may be moved longitudinally relative to the then stationary frame 21. The transverse frame or support 21 has lateral projec tions 21a which carry the vertical hydraulic cylinders 40 of the anchor jacks 9 which are adapted to hold the frame 21 stationary during movement of the front skid plate. These cylinders contain reciprocable pistons 41 having upstanding piston rods 42 which carry top plates 43 for engagement with the mine roof. When liquid under pressure is properly supplied to the swing cylinders 35 the swiveled frame 24, together with the disintegrating head, may be swung horizontally in one direction or the other about its vertical swivel mounting on the transverse frame 21. By trapping liquid in the cylinders 35 the swiveled frame and disintegrating head may be locked against horizontal swinging movement with respect to the transverse frame 21.

' The swiveled frame 24 has lateral portions 24a which support motors 45, desirably electric motors, and these motors have their horizontal, longitudinally extending shafts connected through flexible couplings as to reduction gearings housed within the projections 25 and through which series of parallel endless disintegrating chains 47 of the disintegrating head are driven in a manner similar to that fully disclosed in the above mentioned Russell application.

For swinging the disintegrating head 7 in vertical planes about its pivot 3 relative to the swiveled frame 24 there is provided a pair of hydraulic cylinders 48, arranged at the opposite sides of the disintegrating head, which are pivotally connected at 49 to the opposite sides of the upper portion of a swingable head frame 50 about which the disintegrating chains 47 are guided for circulation in parallel vertical orbits. Contained in these cylinders are reciprocable pistons 51 having downwardly extending tit" 4 7 piston rods 52 which are pivotally connected at 53 to depending lugs 54 integral with the side projections 25 on which the disintegrating head is pivotally mounted. Thus, when liquid under pressure is properly supplied to the cylinders 48 the disintegrating head may be swung in vertical planes either upwardly or downwardly about its pivot, and by trapping liquid in the cylinders 48 the disintegrating head maybe rigidly held in adjusted position.

Means is provided for independently swinging the front and rear base sections about their pivotal connection 4 comprising a pair of parallel hydraulic swing cylinders 69 mounted longitudinally at the opposite sides of the front base section (see Figs. 4 and 7), and these cylinders are double acting and contain reciprocable pistons 61 having forwardly extending piston rods 62 which carry at their forward ends bearing brackets 63 on which pulleys or sheaves 64 are journaled. Cable sections 65 and 66 are each secured at one end at 67 (Fig. 7) to its associated cylinder 69 and extend forwardly about the sheaves 64, these cable sections extend rearwardly from the sheaves along the inner sides of the cylinders 69 and pass around curved guides 68 on therrcarward portion'of the front skid plate 16, and the opposite ends of these cable sections are fastened at 69 to the outer sides of the forward portion of the rear skid plate 15. The anchor jacks 19 for the rear base section comprise vertical hydraulic cylinders 79 mounted in bottom brackets 71 (see Figs. 3a and 5) carried at the sides of the rear portion of the rear skid plate 15, and these cylinders contain reciprocable pistons 72 having upstanding piston rods 73 which carry top plates 74- engageable with the mine roof.

When liquid under pressure is properly supplied to the swing cylinders 60 and the rear base section is held stationary by the rear anchor jacks 10, the front base section may be swung horizontally in either direction about. its pivot 4 relative to the rear base section, and by trapping liquid in the cylinders 64) the front base section may be firmly held in adjusted position. When the rear jacks 16 are released and the front jacks 9 are operated to hol the front base section stationary as regards horizontal swinging movement, the swing cylinders 64} may be operated to swing the rear base section horizontally in either direction about its pivot 4, and, likewise, by trapping liquid in the cylinders 60, the rear base section may be firmly held in adjusted position.

Now referring to the specific structure of the conveying means 6 it will be noted that an endless conveyor chain 76 is guided for circulation in a generally horizontal orbit along suitable guideways 77 provided by the front conveyor frame 30 and similar guideways 73 provided by a rear conveyor frame 79 mounted on the rear skid plate 15 (Figs. 3a and 6). The guideways 73 extend upwardly and rearwardly along a tiltable frame 80 of the tiltable rearward portion 11 of the conveying means. The front conveyor frame 30 has a semi-circular front guide 81 about which the forward receiving portion of the conveyor chain passes and the tiltable rearward conveyor frame 80 has a similar semi-circular guide 82 about which the rear discharging portion of the conveyor passes and which is, in this instance, guided for longitudinal rectilinear adjustment along a guideway 83, and is engaged by an adjusting screw 34 (Fig. 6) whereby the guide 82 may be adjusted longitudinally to maintain the conveyor chain under proper tension. The tiltable conveyor frame 80 is pivoted at 85 (Fig. 3a) on the lower conveyor frame '7? to tilt in vertical planes, and a centrally located hydraulic cylinder 86 is pivotally mounted at 87 to swing in vertical planes on an upstanding frame portion 88 in turn mounted on the rear conveyor frame. Contained in this cylinder is a reciprocable piston 89 having a rearwardly extending piston rod 90 pivotally connected at 91 to the frame 89, of the tiltable frame portion 11 of the conveyor. Thus, by properly supplying liquid under pressure to the cylinder 86 the rear portion of the conveyor may be tilted to vary its discharge height, and by trapping liquid in the cylinder the pivoted frame portion 11 may be held in adjusted position.

The endless conveyor chain 76 has fastened to certain of its links at spaced intervals along its length lateral conveyor flights 92 which travel along the top surface of a horizontal plate 93 of the front base section, along a similar horizontal plate 94 mounted on the forward portion of the rear base section, upwardly along an inclined plate 94a of the tiltable frame 80 and then rearwardly along a horizontal rearward plate portion 95. The horizontal plate 93 is secured to the bottom skid plate 16 of the front base section. The conveyor chain as it passes along the opposite sides of the swivel connection 4 engages the opposed sides of a chain sprocket 96 (Figs. 5 and 7) having its hub mounted at 97 on a circular portion 98 coaxial with the pivot 4. The chain guideways 75 and '76 have flared guide portions 99 and 100 respectively, whereby the opposite runs of the conveyor chain as they pass from the chain sprocket 96 are directed smoothly into the guideways of the conveyor frames. The rearward portion of the front skid plate 16 is laterally enlarged and partially circular, as shown at 101, and the conveyor flights pass along arcuate paths over this partially circular portion as the chain travels along the opposite sides of the chain sprocket 96. Thus, the conveyor may travel past the pivotal connection 4 irrespective of the angularly related positions of the front and rear base sections, while the conveyor chain is at all times adequately guided, and the flights 92 move the material being conveyed over the top surface of the circular plate portion 1511 past the swivel.

The driving means for the endless conveyor comprises a vertical motor 105, desirably an electric motor, mounted on the frame portion 88 and having a spur pinion 106 secured to the lower end of its power shaft, as shown in Fig. 3a, and this pinion meshes with and drives a large spur gear 107 the hub of which is journaled on a bearing sleeve 163 carried by the upstanding bearing support 17 (Fig. 5). The hub of the spur gear 107 provides the circular portion 98 on which the sprocket 96 is mounted as above mentioned, and the sprocket hub is fixed to the gear hub so that the conveyor chain may be driven by the sprocket.

Arranged transversely on the frame portion 88 rearwardly of the vertical motor 105 are horizontal motors 110 and 111 arranged in side by side parallelism, and the motor 110 drives through a conventional speed reducer a pump 112 which is adapted to supply liquid under pressure to the various hydraulic cylinders of the machine in a manner to be later explained. The motor 111 drives, likewise through a conventional speed reducer, a cable winding drum 113 on which a feeding cable 114 is wound. This feeding cable may be extended from the machine with its free end in engagement with a suitable anchor jack, and when the cable is wound in by the drum the machine may be fed bodily over the mine floor at a relatively high maneuvering speed.

The Walking or creeper base 1 operates in the following manner: When it is desired to advance the machine step by step longitudinally over the mine floor, the rear roof jacks may be operated to hold the rear base section stationary, and, when the front jacks 9 are released, the feed cylinders 26 may be operated to slide the transverse floor engaging frame 21 forwardly along the guideway 20 relative to the front base section. The jacks 9 may then be operated to hold the transverse frame 21 stationary and the rear jacks 10 are released, and the feed cylinders 26 may then be operated to slide the front base section together with the rear base section forwardly relative to the then stationary transverse frame 21. The cylinders 69 may be operated to swing the front base section horizontally into different angular positions about its pivot 4 with respect to the rear base section, and the transverse frame and front base section may be alternately advanced 6 step by step in the manner above described, and the angle of the front base section may be gradually changed between the feeding steps thereby to enable feed of the machine as it is turned laterally either to the right 'or left. Thus, by properly adjusting the angular position of the front base section and by properly operating the feed the machine may be turned step by step through a sharply curved path. Also as the machine is turned the rear base section may be swung horizontally about the pivot 4 to facilitate the turning or steering operation. In a like manner the machine may be moved step by step in a rearward direction.

Now referring to the hydraulic fluid system shown diagrammatically in Fig. 8, it will be noted that the pump 112 driven by the motor has its suction side connected by a conduit 12% to a liquid reservoir or tank 121, and the discharge side of the pump is connected by a conduit 122 to the pressure passage of a conventional control valve mechanism 123. This control valve mechanism may be suitably mounted in any convenient location on the machine in adjacency to the tank 121, in a well-known manner, and is desirably of the conventional balanced-spool, slide valve type having a valve box providing a series of parallel bores containing slide valves 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129 and 130 respectively, each having a suitable operating handle. The discharge passage of the valve box is connected by a discharge conduit 131 back to the tank. The bore containing the slide valve 124 is connected by branched conduits 132 and 133 to the opposite ends of the swing cylinders 48 for the disintegrating head. The bore containing the slide valve 125 is connected by branched conduits 134 and 134a to the opposite ends of the cylinders 40 of the roof jacks 9. The bore containing the slide valve 126 is connected by branched conduits 135 and 136 to the opposite ends of the feeding and retracting cylinders 26. The bore containing the slide valve 127 is connected by branched conduits 137 and 138 to the opposite ends of the swing cylinders 69 for relatively swinging the base sections. The bore containing the slide valve 128 is connected by branched conduits 139 and 140 to the opposite ends of the swing cylinders 35 for the swiveled frame 24 which supports the disintegrating head. The bore containing the slide valve 129 is connected by branched conduits 141 and 141:: to the opposite ends of the hydraulic cylinders 79 of the rear roof jacks 10, while the bore containing the slide valve 130 is connected by a conduit 142 to the tilt cylinder 86 for the discharge end of the conveyor.

The general mode of operation of the improved mining and loading machine is as follows: The machine may be moved over the mine floor at a relatively high maneuvering speed by the feed cable 114 wound on the drum 113, although for tramming purposes the machine may be mounted on a separate transport truck or other tramming vehicle. The machine may be maneuvered with respect to the working face of the mine vein by the walking base 1 and may be turned either to the right or left by relatively swinging the base sections about their pivotal connection 4. When the machine is suitably positioned with respect to the working face, as shown in Figs. 9 and ll, with the longitudinal median line of the base arranged at substantially right angles to the face and with the disintegrating head 7 located centrally between the sidewalls or ribs as indicated in full lines at A in Fig. 9, the slide valve 129 may be positioned to supply liquid under pressure to the cylinders of the roof jacks 19 to hold the rear base section in a stationary position and liquid under pressure may then be supplied to the swing cylinders 43, under the control of the slide valve 124, to effect swinging of the disintegrating head 7 upwardly about its pivot 8 to locate its outer tip end at the roof level, as indicated in full lines at B in Fig. 11. The slide valve 124 may then be positioned to trap liquid in the swing cylinders 48, and the slide amass under pressure to the feed cylinders 26 to move the transverse frame 21 forwardly rectilinearly along the guideway 2i) of the front base section thereby to feed the outer portion of the disintegrating head into the mineral of the mine vein to the sumped position indicated in dotted lines at C in Fig. 11. During this sumping operation the front roof jacks 9 are, of course, released and after the sumping operation has been completed the slide valve 2.25 may be positioned to effect supply of liquid under pressure to the cylinders of the front roof jacks to hold the transverse frame 21 in a stationary position against the mine iloor, the slide valve 126 may be positioned to trap liquid in the feed cylinders 26 and the slide 124 may again be manipulated to effect liquid supply to the swing cylinders 48 to effect downward swing of the disintegrating head about its pivot to bring the outer tip end of the head down'to the floor level as indicated at dotted lines at D in Fig. 11. Liquid may then be again trapped in the cylinders 43 and the slide valves 125 and 126 may be positioned to effect release of the front jacks and to effect supply of liquid under pressure. to the feed cylinders 26 to retract the disintegrating head rectilinearly from the face to the position indicated in dotted lines at E in Fig. 11 thereby to complete the removal of the vertical segment of the vein. 7

After the removal of the central vertical segment of mineral from the mine vein, the slide valve 128 may be manipulated to effect supply of liquid under pressure to the swing cylinders to turn the swivel frame 24 horizontally 0 about its swivel 23 thereby to locate the disintegrating head 7 in the left hand laterally inclined position indicated in dotted lines at F in Fig. 9, and the disintegrating head may then again be swung upwardly to the roof level, sumped in, swung downwardly about its pivot and retracted from the face in the manner above described, to remove the next adjacent vertical segment of mineral from the face. The swing cylinders 35 may thereafter be operated to turn the swivel frame 24 about its swivel 23 to locate the disintegrating head in its right hand, laterally inclined, position indicated at G in Fig. 9, and again the positioning, sumping, swinging and retracting movements of the disintegrating head may be repeated to remove the third 7 segment of mineral fromthe vein. The disintegrating head may also be swung laterally by turning of the swiveled frame about the swivel 23 to the oppositely inclined, outwardly located, positions indicated at H and I in Fig. 9, to complete the removal of the entire section of the face across the width of the entry or mine passageway.

When the disintegrating head 7 is angularly located at any one of the operating positions F, G, H and I in Fig 9, the sumping and withdrawal movements of the head, respectively at the roof and floor levels, are effected by movement of the transverse floor engaging frame 21 along the guideway 12% arranged at right angles to the face centrally between the ribs, and the outer end of the disintegrating head may be sumped in at the roof level at a substantial angle with respect to the face. During retraction of the head at the floor level, liquid may be vented from the swing cylinders 35 so that the disintegrating head is free to turn laterally about the swivel 23 as it is withdrawn from the face, thereby to enable the disintegrating head to be moved rearwardly past the projection of mineral at the outer side of the head. The initial removal of the central vertical segment and the subequent removal of the next adjacent vertical segments from the mine vein provide relief at the inner side of the disintegrating head so that the laterally inclined head may be advanced at right angles to the face without interference.

When it is desired to provide an entry or mine passageway of substantially greater width than that shown in Fig; 9, subsequently to the removal of the centrally located and adjacent vertical segments from the mine vein, the swing cylinders may be operated to effect 8 turning of the front base section about its swivel 4 to the position shown in full lines at J in Fig. 10, and relatively inclined vertical segments of mineral may be removed from the face as indicated at K, L and M. Thereafter theh'ead may beswung to the opposite side of theentry as indicated in dotted lines at N in Fig. 10, and the removal of three relatively inclined vertical segments from the vein, as indicated in dotted lines at O, P and Q in Fig. 10, may then be effected in the manner above described; Thus, by swinging the disintegrating head laterally about both the swivel 23 and the swivel 4 the disintegrating head may be positioned through a relatively wide range to remove series of vertical segments from. the vein completely across a face of substantial width. Also, by appropriately turning the base ions about the swivel 4 and swinging the disintegrating head horizontally about the swivel 23, mineral may be removed from either rib thereby to enable lateral turning movement of the machine either to the right or to the left and during such turning movement of the machine feeding may be effected by the step by step walking movement of the base. 7

As a result of this invention an improved mining and loading apparatus is provided which is extremely low in height and which has a relatively wide range of lateral adjustment thereby enabling the mining out of mineral from a solid vein in a mine having low head room. The machine not onlyis relatively low in height and fleitiblc in lateral adjustment but is also simple and rugged in design. By the provision of the pivotally connected base sections, steering and guiding of the machine is facilitated. Other advantages of the invention will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While there is in thisapplication specifically described one form which the invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form of the same is shown for purposcs'of illustration and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A mining machine comprising, in combination, a base movable over the floor of a mine including a base member, a frame swiveled on said base member to turn horizontally about a vertical axis, a mine vein disinte grating head, means for pivotally mounting said head on said frame to swing in vertical planes with respect thereto for removing a vertical segment of mineral from a solid vein, means for mounting said swiveled frame on said base member for rectilinear feeding movement in directions at substantially right angles with respect to the working face irrespective of the angular position of said n'iisintegrating head with said swiveled frame about said vertical axis relative to the path of rectilinear feed of said mounting means for said swiveled frame, and means operatively associated with said base member for varying the horizontal angular position of said mounting means for said swiveled frame with respect to said base member thereby to vary the direction of rectilinear movement of said frame relative to the working face.

2. A mining machine comprising, in combination, a movable base having moving means, said base comprising front and rear sections pivotally connected together to swing in horizontal planes relative to each other about a vertical axis, a frame guided on said front base section for rectilinear movement lengthwise thereof in a direction radial to said vertical axis irrespective of the horizontally-swung position of said front base section about its pivotal connection with said rear section, a frame swivelly mounted on said guided frame to turn about a vertical axis, and a mine vein disintegrating head carried by said swiveled frame and movable to dislodge and disintegrate the mineral of a solid mine vein.

3. A mining machine as set forth in claim 2 wherein g said disintegrating head is pivotally molmted on said swiveled frame to swing in vertical planes and is provided with disintegrating 61L ments movable in parallel vertical orbits for dislodging a vertical segment of mineral from a solid mine vein.

4. A mining machine comprising, in combination, a movable base having step by step moving and steering means and comprising front and rear sections slidable over the floor of a mine and pivotally connected together to swing horizontally relative to each other about a vertical pivotal axis, means for swinging either base section about its pivotal connection with the other section, a floor engaging support guided for longitudinal movement along said front base section, roof anchor jacks carried by said rear base section and said floor engaging support respectively for alternately holding said base and said support stationary in a mine and power operated devices for alternately moving said support longitudinally along said front base section while the latter remains relatively stationary and moving said front base section longitudinally relative to said support while the latter remains relatively stationary, and a mine vein disintegrating mechanism carried by said floor engaging support above said base and movable longitudinally with said support as aforesaid.

5. A mining machine as set forth in claim 4 wherein a frame is swivelly mounted on said floor engaging support above said base and by which said vein disintegrating mechanism is carried whereby said disintegrating mechanism may be moved horizontally into different angular positions with respect to said base.

6. A mining machine as set forth in claim 5 wherein said vein disintegrating mechanism comprises a disintegrating head pivotally mounted on said swiveled frame to swing in vertical planes with respect thereto, and said disintegrating head is provided with disintegrating elements movable in parallel vertical orbits.

7. A mining machine comprising, in combination, a

base movable over the floor of a mine and having step,

by step moving and steering means, said base including front and rear base sections movable over the floor of a mine and pivotally connected together to swing horizontally relative to each other about a vertical pivotal axis, said front base section providing a longitudinal guideway, a floor engaging support movable rectilinearly along said guideway, power operated devices connected between said front base section and said floor engaging support for effecting relatively longitudinal movement between said front base section and said support and anchor jack devices for said rear section and said floor engaging support respectively, whereby either of said sections may be held relatively stationary in a mine or released for movement at will, and means for swinging said front base section about its vertical pivotal connection with said rear base section.

8. A mining machine as set forth in claim 7 wherein an upper frame is swivelly mounted on said floor engaging support above said base to turn about a vertical axis, and a mine vein disintegrating mechanism is carried by said swiveled frame for dislodging mineral from a solid mine vein in the different positions of said swiveled frame about said vertical axis.

9. A mining machine, comprising in combination, a walking base for a mine vein disintegrating mechanism, said base having step by step moving and steering means and movable over the floor of a mine, said base comprising front and rear floor engaging base sections pivotally connected together to swing horizontally relative to each other about a vertical axis, means for swinging each of said base sections about its pivotal connection with the other base section, said front base section providing a longitudinal guideway centrally between its sides, a transverse floor engaging support engaging said guideway and movable rectilinearly back and forth therealong, said support projecting laterally at the opposite sides of said base, roof jacks carried by said lateral support projections at the sides of said front base section for holding said support stationary, longitudinal jack devices arranged between said front base section and said floor engaging support for etfecting such back and forth rectilinear movements of said support along said guideway when said roof jacks are released, said longitudinal jack devices also operable to efiect movement of said front base section longitudinally relative to said support when the latter is held stationary by said roof jacks, and roof jacks carried by the rear base section for holding the latter stationary during aforesaid rectilinear movements of said floor engaging support.

lO. A mining machine as set forth in claim 9 wherein an endless conveyor is guided lengthwise of said base sections and is movable orbitally with its opposite runs extending along the opposite sides of the pivotal connection between said base sections with the pivot lying within the conveyor orbit.

ll. A mining machine as set forth in claim 10 wherein a mine vein disintegrating mechanism is carried by said floor engaging support above said base and is adapted to dislodge and disintegrate the mineral of a solid mine vein, and said conveyor is provided with a forward receiving portion at the front end of said front base section extending horizontally in advance of the rearward portion of said disintegrating mechanism for receiving the disintegrated mineral.

12. A mining machine comprising, in combination, a base movable over the floor of a mine and having moving means, said base comprising a front section and a rear section, said front section pivoted to said rear section to swing horizontally about a vertical axis, said front section providing a longitudinal guideway, means for swinging said front base section horizontally about its pivotal connection with said rear base section, a frame slidingly engaging said guideway for rectilinear movement relative to said front base section, a frame swivelly mounted on said sliding frame to swing horizontally with respect thereto about a vertical axis, a mine vein disintegrating mechanism pivotally mounted on said swiveled frame to swing in vertical planes relative to said base and turnable with said swiveled frame into different horizontal angular positions relative to the path of rectilinear movement of said sliding frame, and power operated means for moving said sliding frame along said guideway relative to said front base section to thrust said disintegrating mechanism in any of its angular positions into the mineral of a solid mine vein thereby to effect tearing away of the mineral from the solid.

13. A mining machine as set forth in claim 12 wherein a conveying means is mounted on said base with its forward portion extending longitudinally of said front base section above said sliding frame and moving horizontally beneath the said disintegrating mechanism in advance of the pivot of the latter in a position to receive the disintegrated mineral dislodged from the solid mine vein and for conveying the mineral received thereby rearwardly of the machine.

14. A mining machine as set forth in claim 13 wherein said conveying means is endless and is guided for orbital movement on said base, said conveying means having opposite runs, and said longitudinal guideway lies within the orbit of said conveying means intermediate said opposite runs of the latter.

15. A mining machine comprising, in combination, a movable base having step by step moving and steering means comprising front and rear floor engaging sections pivotally connected together for independent horizontal swinging movement relative to each other about a vertical axis, means for swinging either base section about its pivotal connection with the other during steering, a floor engaging support guided for longitudinal movement relative to said front base section, a power operated device for moving said support rectilinearly longitudinally back and forth relative to said front base section, and jack devices for holding either said rear base section or said support against movement in a mine.

16. In combination, a base movable over the floor of a mine and having moving means, said base comprising a rearward frame portion and a forward frame portion,

said forward frame portion pivoted to swing horizontally about a vertical pivotal axis relative to said rearward frame portion, said forward frame portion providing a guideway extending in a direction radial to said vertical pivotal axis, a support movable radially along said guide- Way back and forth relative to said swingable forward frame portion, a frame swivelly mounted on said radially movable support to turn about an axis parallel to said vertical pivotal axis of said forward frame portion, and a mine vein disintegrating head pivotally mounted on said swiveled frame to swing in vertical planes with respect thereto for effecting removal of a vertical segment of mineral from a solid mine vein.

17. The combination as set forth in claim 16 wherein said disintegrating head is swingablc horizontally with said swiveled frame about said parallel vertical pivotal axis on said support into a position wherein its longitudinal axis extends in parallelism with the longitudinal axis of said rearward frame portion irrespective of the position of said support along said guideway or the horizontal angular position of said forward frame portion about its vertical pivotal axis, and means is provided for advancing said support when said disintegrating head is positioned as aforesaid for sumping said head into the solid mine vein.

18. In combination, a creeping base movable step by step over the floor of a mine along both rectilinear and curvilinear paths and having step by step moving means, said base comprising a rear base portion and a front base portion both engageable with the floor and said front base 7 portion pivoted to swing horizontally relative to said rear base portion about a vertical pivotal axis, means for swinging said front base portion about its pivot relative to said rear base portion, said front base portion providing a guideway extending in a direction radial to said vertical pivotal axis, a support guided for rectilinear movement along said guideway, a frame swiveled on said rectilinearly movable support to turn about an axis parallel with said vertical axis, and a disintegrating head pivotally mounted on said last mentioned swiveled frame to swing about its pivot in vertical planes with respect to said frame for effecting removal of a vertical segment of mineral from a solid mine vein.

19(The combination, as set forth in claim 18, wherein conveying means is carried by said base and has its forward portion moving in a horizontal orbit beneath said disintegrating head with its front receiving portion disposed in advance of the head pivot.

20. The combination as set forth in claim 19 wherein power devices are connected between said horizontally swingable front base portion and said rectilinearly movable support for moving the latter along said guideway, said power devices extending longitudinally of said forward base portion within the orbit of said conveying means.

21. The combination as set forth in claim 20 wherein frame swiveled on said rectilinearly movable support lies over and is swingable horizontally above said power devices and said forward portion of said conveying means.

22. The combination as set forth in claim 18 wherein said rear base portion carries roof jack devices and said support engages the floor and is held stationary for guiding said front base portion during advancing of said base and has roof jack devices, said rear base portion being swingable horizontally about said first mentioned vertical pivotal axis when said floor-engaging support and said front base portion are held against horizontal swinging movement by said last mentioned roof jack devicesand when said first mentioned roof jack devices are released.

23. In combination, a base having step by step moving and steering means and comprising a rear base section and a front base section, means for pivotally connecting said sections together whereby either section may swing horiontally relative to the other about a vertical pivotal axis, said front section providing a guideway extending in a direction radial to said vertical pivotal axis, a floor engaging support having guides engaging said guideway, roof jack devices for holding said rear base section stationary, roof jack devices for holding said support stationary, means for swinging either base section horizontally about said vertical pivotal axis relative to the other when its roof jack devices are released, and means for moving said front base section longitudinally relative to said support when the latter is held stationary'by its roof jack devices and for moving said support along said guideway relative to said front base section when its roof jack devices are released.

24. The combination as set forth in claim 23 wherein a frame is swiveled on said support above said front base section to turn about an axis parallel to said vertical axis and a mine vein disintegrating head is mounted on said swiveled frame for movement in vertical planes relative thereto to effect dislodgement of a section of mineral from a solid mine vein 25. A mining and'loading machine comprising, in cornbiuation, a base movable over the floor of a mine, a frame swiveled on said base to turn horizontally relative thereto about a vertical axis, a mine vein disintegrating head pivotally mounted on said swiveled frame to swing in vertical planes with respect thereto for removing a relatively wide vertical segment of mineral between the floor and roof of a solid vein, said base including a second frame swiveled to turn horizontally about an axis parallel to said vertical axis and providing a horizontal guideway extending radially of said parallel axis, and means for mounting said first mentioned frame for movement rectilinearly along said guideway, said first frame being swingable horizontally about its pivot to position said disintegrating head to swing as aforesaid in different angular positions with respect to its path of rectilinear movement to remove adjacent wide vertical segments of mineral from the mine vein.

26. A machine as set forth in claim 25 wherein power operated means are provided for swinging said frames References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,314,011 Morgan Aug. 26, 1919 1,588,564 Wilson June 15, 1926 1,648,876 Cartlidge Nov. 8, 1927 1,729,177 Morgan Sept. 24, 1929 1,762,071 Newdick June 3, 1930 1,783,443 Morgan Dec. 2, 1930 2,062,657 Joy Dec. 1, l936 2,269,781 Osgood Jan. 13, 1942 2,588,283 Osgood Mar. 4, 1952 

